is it chlorine that makes a swimming pool clean? if not then what does make it clean?

Question: is it chlorine that makes a swimming pool clean? if not then what does make it clean?
- Keywords:
  chemistry,
  chlorine,
  clean,
  water
Asked by ava and hibba!! to Lauren G, Karen E, John G, Heather F, Alex on 4 Feb 2025.
- Lauren Graham answered on 4 Feb 2025:
  
  Yes, chlorine is often used to help keep pools clean and works by killing bacteria through a chemical reaction; it breaks down into hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ion (OCl-), these destroy bacteria by attacking cell walls and internal structures.
  Some pools also use salt water to help keep it clean. Pools are also often filtered and have water changed along with the use of chlorine.

Question: is it chlorine that makes a swimming pool clean? if not then what does make it clean?